Q: What is Allmax EGT20+ and why is it the first ergothioneine supplement available in Canada?
A: Allmax EGT20+ is a Canadian-formulated capsule combining 20 mg of L-Ergothioneine with 100 mg of Cordyceps mushroom mycelium. It launched in May 2026 and is the first standalone L-Ergothioneine product carrying a Canadian NPN (80139374) sold on retail shelves nationwide. Top Nutrition & Fitness has it in stock now.
When a sports-nutrition brand the size of Allmax decides to put a niche longevity nutrient into capsule form, two things are happening: the science has matured enough that mainstream brands feel safe selling it, and a Canadian Natural Product Number (NPN) has finally been granted for it. Both happened with EGT20+. This article explains what L-Ergothioneine actually is, why researchers call it a "longevity vitamin," how Allmax got to market first, and how to dose it.
What is L-Ergothioneine?
L-Ergothioneine (EGT) is a naturally occurring sulfur-containing amino acid produced almost exclusively by fungi and certain soil bacteria. Humans cannot synthesize it. Every milligram in your body comes from diet — primarily mushrooms — or from supplementation. Among edible mushrooms, oyster and king trumpet are the richest sources, with shiitake and maitake mid-range, and common white button at the bottom.
EGT is unusual among antioxidants for one critical reason: your cells have a dedicated transporter for it. The protein OCTN1 (organic cation transporter novel 1, gene SLC22A4) is expressed in tissues under the highest oxidative stress — red blood cells, liver, kidneys, lens of the eye, central nervous system, and bone marrow. When you absorb EGT, OCTN1 actively concentrates it inside those cells. No other dietary antioxidant has this kind of targeted distribution system, which is one reason researchers Beelman, Kalaras, and Halliwell (Penn State, Singapore) have argued EGT should be classified as a conditional vitamin.
The longevity science: why EGT matters more as you age
Three observations have driven research interest in EGT over the past decade:
- Blood EGT levels decline with age. A 2020 Singaporean cohort study found mean plasma ergothioneine dropped roughly 30% between healthy 30-year-olds and 70-year-olds.
- Low EGT correlates with frailty and cognitive decline. Population studies in Singapore and the United States linked the lowest quartile of plasma EGT with higher rates of mild cognitive impairment, Parkinson's disease, and overall mortality.
- EGT survives where other antioxidants don't. Vitamin C is rapidly destroyed by heat, light, and oxidation. EGT is chemically stable across the gut's pH range, survives cooking, and has an unusually long intracellular half-life (estimated 30+ days in red blood cells).
These don't prove EGT causes longer life — correlation is not causation. But the combination of a dedicated transporter, declining levels with age, and association with healthier aging is unusual enough that pharma and supplement companies have been racing to bring practical doses to market.
Why Allmax was first to market in Canada
Two regulatory hurdles delayed L-Ergothioneine in Canada specifically:
- Health Canada NHP review. Single-ingredient L-Ergothioneine supplements need a Natural Product Number (NPN) before retail sale. The first approvals only came through in late 2025 / early 2026.
- Cost of synthetic EGT. Until recently, biosynthetic ergothioneine cost over $15 USD per gram at wholesale. Fermentation-derived EGT (the kind in EGT20+) has dropped that cost significantly in the past two years, making 20 mg/capsule commercially viable at a Canadian retail price under $40.
Allmax is a Canadian-based brand (headquartered in Mississauga, Ontario) with an existing NPN portfolio, in-house formulation, and a Canadian distribution network. That combination let them push EGT20+ through Health Canada review and onto shelves faster than US-based competitors that would have needed separate Canadian regulatory submissions and import infrastructure. As of May 2026, EGT20+ is the only Canadian-licensed standalone ergothioneine product available at retail.
What's in EGT20+ — per capsule
| Ingredient | Amount | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis, mycelium) | 100 mg | Standardized to 30% polysaccharides |
| L-Ergothioneine | 20 mg | Fermentation-derived, vegan source |
Other ingredients: Hypromellose (vegan capsule), rice flour, magnesium stearate. Vegan, gluten-free, dairy-free, soy-free, non-GMO. NPN 80139374. 30 capsules per bottle.
Dosing: how much L-Ergothioneine should you take?
Most ergothioneine clinical research uses doses in the 5–25 mg/day range — though pharmacokinetic studies have safely tested single doses up to 25 mg in healthy adults (Cheah et al., 2017). At 20 mg per capsule, EGT20+ sits at the upper end of typical clinical dosing in a single daily serving. The standard label dose is 1 capsule with food, daily.
A few practical notes:
- Take with food — EGT absorbs better with a meal, and the Cordyceps polysaccharides are more bioavailable alongside dietary fat.
- Daily, consistently — because EGT accumulates inside cells over weeks, single doses don't show the full benefit. Most research protocols run 6–12 weeks of daily dosing before measuring outcomes.
- Combinable with other antioxidants — EGT operates in different cellular compartments than vitamin C, vitamin E, glutathione, or NAC, so it stacks rather than competes.
Cordyceps: the second ingredient and why it's included
EGT20+ isn't pure L-Ergothioneine — Allmax pairs each capsule with 100 mg of Cordyceps mycelium standardized to 30% polysaccharides. Cordyceps (Ophiocordyceps sinensis) is a traditional adaptogenic mushroom used for centuries in Tibetan and Chinese herbal medicine for endurance, energy, and immune support. Modern research has identified its polysaccharides as the primary active fraction.
The pairing makes practical sense: Cordyceps mycelium is itself a natural source of small amounts of ergothioneine (since EGT is produced by fungi), so the two ingredients reinforce one another. For the supplement category, calling it "EGT20+" with the "+" representing the Cordyceps adjunct positions the product as a stack rather than a single-ingredient capsule.
Who should consider L-Ergothioneine supplementation?
- Adults over 40 — when plasma EGT begins its measurable decline.
- People who don't eat mushrooms regularly — vegetarians and vegans included, since meat and dairy are not significant dietary sources either.
- Anyone optimizing a "longevity stack" — alongside NAC, CoQ10, vitamin D, omega-3, and similar cellular-health staples.
- Endurance athletes — the Cordyceps adjunct in EGT20+ has separate research support for aerobic capacity and recovery.
As with any supplement, consult your healthcare professional before starting, especially if you're pregnant, breastfeeding, taking immunosuppressants, or have a chronic medical condition.
Where to buy Allmax EGT20+ in Canada
Top Nutrition & Fitness has Allmax EGT20+ (30 Capsules) in stock now — sourced directly through Allmax's official Canadian distribution. We've been an authorized Allmax retailer since 2016 and ship same-day from our Montreal warehouse across Canada and the USA. Free shipping over $125 CAD subtotal (Canada) or $75 USD (USA).
Pair it with:
- Allmax NAC (N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine) — glutathione-precursor antioxidant
- Allmax Lion's Mane Extract — round out a mushroom-stack daily routine
- Allmax Allgreens+ — broader greens and prebiotic blend
Frequently Asked Questions
Is L-Ergothioneine the same as glutathione?
No. Both are sulfur-containing antioxidants, but they're chemically distinct molecules with different cellular roles. Glutathione is synthesized inside your cells from cysteine, glycine, and glutamate. L-Ergothioneine must come from food or supplements and is concentrated in different tissues via a different transporter (OCTN1 for EGT vs. multiple transporters for cysteine precursors). They complement rather than replace one another.
Can I just eat more mushrooms instead of supplementing?
You can, and many people should. But to match the 20 mg in one EGT20+ capsule you'd typically need 100–200 g of fresh oyster or king trumpet mushrooms daily — every day, indefinitely. For most people the capsule is a more practical baseline, with mushroom-rich meals adding on top.
Is EGT20+ safe to take long-term?
Published safety data on L-Ergothioneine shows no toxicity at doses up to 25 mg/day in human studies, and EFSA (European Food Safety Authority) granted EGT Novel Food approval at 30 mg/day for adults in 2017. The Cordyceps mycelium in EGT20+ has a long history of traditional use. As always, consult your healthcare professional before starting any long-term supplement regimen.
When will I notice anything from EGT20+?
EGT is a baseline cellular nutrient — not a stimulant or an acute-effect compound. You should not expect a noticeable "feel" from a dose. Research benefits accumulate over weeks to months of consistent daily intake. The Cordyceps component may produce subtler effects on perceived energy or aerobic recovery in some users within 2–4 weeks.
Is Allmax really the first to market in Canada?
First with a standalone, Canadian NPN-licensed L-Ergothioneine product on retail shelves nationwide, yes — as of May 2026. Some niche compounding pharmacies and specialty importers had EGT available previously, but EGT20+ is the first mainstream consumer-retail option carrying a Health Canada NPN.
This article is for informational purposes and does not constitute medical advice. Statements have not been evaluated by Health Canada for the treatment, cure, or prevention of any disease. Consult your healthcare professional before starting any new supplement, particularly if you are pregnant, breastfeeding, taking medication, or managing a chronic condition.
